Shahid Afridi Optimistic About Pakistan's Chances in 2024 T20 World Cup

Pakistan cricket legend Shahid Afridi has expressed optimism about the national team's chances of reaching the final of the upcoming 2024 Men's T20 World Cup. Afridi believes that the conditions in the West Indies and the USA, where the tournament will be held, will favor Pakistan's strengths.

Pakistan has a strong track record in the T20 World Cup, having won the title in 2009 and finishing as runners-up in 2007 and 2022. They have also reached the semi-finals in 2010, 2012, and 2021.

Afridi highlighted the team's exceptional bowling attack as a key factor in their success. "I think in any cricket team in the world, nobody has such a strong bowling line-up," he said. "All our four fast bowlers have a lot of skill and even the bowlers sitting on the bench like Abbas (Afridi)...has a lot of skill with a good slower ball."

He also praised the team's batting lineup, but urged them to improve their strike rate in the middle overs. "The thing that bothers me is the strike rate of our batters, especially in between the seven to thirteen over phase," he said. "I hope that the strike rate improves in that phase. In terms of runs per over, eight or nine runs per over are needed."

Afridi declined to single out any one player as the key to Pakistan's success, but he emphasized the importance of captain Babar Azam's leadership. "But if I had to pick one, I would pick the captain Babar Azam, because he is the leader," he said. "I want him to perform well, and make timely decisions which will take the team to victory."

Overall, Afridi is confident in Pakistan's ability to make a deep run in the 2024 T20 World Cup. "I feel Pakistan should make the final," he said. "The reason is that the conditions (in the West Indies and the USA) suit our team. If we look at the spinners in our team, they are outstanding. They might not be in form but I know they will return in form. If we talk about fast bowling, it’s an incredible attack. In batting, we have great strength.”

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